Page 53 of Toxic Temptation
“No, not ‘maybe.’ Definitely.” She stands up so fast her chair scrapes against the floor. “Vesper, this man is dangerous. You said so yourself.”
“He’s not dangerous to me.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
Because of the way he looked at Luka. Because of how gentle his hands were when he cleaned my wound. Because every instinct I have is telling me to trust him, even though, logically, I know I shouldn’t.
“I just do.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I have.”
Charity starts pacing my tiny kitchen. “What’s he offering you in return?”
“He’s going to take down Jeremy and the board.”
She stops mid-pace. “He can do that?”
All I can do is shrug. “Apparently.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask for details.”
“Jesus, Ves.” She sinks back into her chair. “This is so far beyond stupid, it’s not even on the same planet as stupid.”
“I know.”
“Do you? Because I don’t think you do.” Her voice softens. “You could lose everything. Your job, your medical license, your entire career. Is it worth it?”
I think about Luka’s gray eyes. In my mind’s eye, I see the puckered burn mark on his neck. My own skin starts to singe from within, right on the same spot, a pang of sympathy pain that guarantees my answer before it even passes my lips.
“Yes,” I say. “It’s worth it.”
“Even if it ruins you?”
“Even then.”
Charity studies my face for a long moment. “You care about him. The boy.”
“Of course I care about him. He’s eight years old and he’s being abused.”
“And his uncle?”
My phone buzzes once on the table between us, saving me from having to answer. Kovan’s name flashes on the screen. I wonder if he felt his ears burning.
“It’s the hospital,” I lie, grabbing the phone.
“On your day off?”
“Emergency.”
She doesn’t look convinced, but she doesn’t push. I unlock my phone and read Kovan’s message.
KOVAN:Showtime. Just received word that there’s a social worker coming in an hour. Need you here.
My stomach drops. This is really happening. This is really, truly, actually happening.
